Nintendo Network Accounts Are Locked to a Single Console

Users can't transfer their accounts to other devices, apparently

Nintendo has revealed, through a support page, that Nintendo Network accounts created by Wii U owners are locked to a single console, meaning they can’t transfer it to another device or log into them when visiting other Wii U users.

Nintendo finally released the Wii U in North America yesterday, on November 18, and now more and more details about the inner workings of the device are surfacing on the web.

A new and rather disturbing fact has been uncovered on a Nintendo support page, which reveals that once a user creates a Nintendo Network account, it’s locked to the console on which it was made.

As such, users can’t transfer their accounts on other consoles and can’t really get rid of their Wii U unless they completely wipe the data from it.

Here is Nintendo’s complete answer to the Nintendo Network account issue, via its support page.

“Can I Log Into My Nintendo Network Account on a Different Console?”

“No, you cannot. A Nintendo Network Account can only be used on the console where it was created. In the future, you will be able to use your Nintendo Network Account with future Nintendo consoles and other devices, such as PC's. Currently, the Wii U supports up to 12 individual Nintendo Network ID's per console, which enables each member of the family to have his or her own unique identity on the system.”

In case you forgot, a Nintendo Network account is mandatory and acts just like the PlayStation Network or an Xbox Live ones for the PS3 or Xbox 360, only those can be transferred onto other consoles.

“The Nintendo Network is the service that provides games and content via the Internet (Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, etc). It gives access to a wide range of network services, such as playing games with people from around the world, downloading paid software and content, and exchanging images and messages,” Nintendo elaborates on the support page.

“In order to use any of the Wii U features available through the Nintendo Network, you must first create a Nintendo Network Account. Once a Nintendo Network Account has been set up, you will be able to access all of the online features available through the Wii U.”

Will this rather big issue make you reconsider buying a Wii U? Share your thoughts below.